Some of the early settlers of the fertile Truckee Meadows included the pioneer rancher Peleg Brown — who introduced alfalfa farming to the area in 1857, the prospectors seeking their wealth in the mining rush of 1859 and all the influx of new people and growth that the 1863 transcontinental railroad brought that led to the establishment of Reno in 1868. Reno and the surrounding area kept growing, and with gambling being legalized in 1931, it showed no signs of stopping. Today, the area is still experiencing growth. In February 2023, renowned economist Christopher Thornberg, Ph.D., stated, “The Reno area continues to enjoy one of the best economies in the nation, with the technology corridor continuing to expand into the Reno area and attracting record venture capital, rising incomes and substantial tourism numbers — all indicators point to continued growth.” With all of the projected growth in our community, protecting our natural surroundings is of the utmost importance. Nature plays an intrinsic role in the health of Nevada’s cities. For Reno, Sparks and surrounding communities, the forests and the Truckee River are crucial to quality of life. The Truckee River watershed supports the area’s booming economy, provides clean drinking water to a rapidly growing population, bolsters a thriving business community and gives both locals and visitors a place to get outside, explore and connect with nature. This is where thoughtful urban planning and well-thought-out master plans come into play. In planning for population growth, factors like identifying transportation patterns, recognizing food supply demands, allocating social services and healthcare and analyzing the impact of land use are necessary. They lay the foundation for thriving cities and communities and create long-term solutions of harmony and balance between the built and natural environment. In addition to the factors previously listed, the water supply should be a top priority. The Truckee River is the main source of water — originating at Lake Tahoe and traveling 121 miles through the Reno-Sparks area and eventually emptying into Pyramid Lake. The Truckee River supplies most of the drinking water for the Reno area, and the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) does a great job of delivering high-quality drinking water to approximately 450,000 residents every day. Truckee Meadows Master Planning 20 Northern Nevada Architecture .23
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